Rail-joint.



N0.,7l|,862. Patented 0st. 2!, I902.

A. HOWARD.

RAIL JOINT.

[Application filed Aug. 8, 1902.)'

(No Model.)

fliz.

' ranged to be moved into alinement with the,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AURELIUS HOWARD, OF WADSWORTH, OHIO.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,862, dated October21, 1902.

Application filed August 8, 1902.

To all whont it may concern:

Be it knownthatI, AURELIUS HOWARD, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Wadsworth, in the county of Medina and State of Ohio,have invented anew and useful Rail- Joint, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention, while relating particularly to rail-joints,includes features that can be used in other relations, such asconnecting-beams, girders, and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the abovecharacter which can be quickly applied and constitutes a strong andrigid bond that will not become accidentally loosened if subjected toshocks and jars. The structure eliminates the necessity of bolts orsimilar threaded devices,which often become released.

The preferred embodiment of the invention' is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described in the following specification. Aninspection of the claims will show, however, that the structure shownand described is open to changes and modifications.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rail-jointembodying the improvements. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the same.Fig. 3 is a plan View of the body and shanks carried thereby. Fig. etisa perspective view of the fish-plate. Fig. 5 is a detail perspectiveview of one of the holdingheads. Fig. 6 is a view of one of thelockingrings employed.

Similar reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings abody-bar 10 is employed having a plurality of spaced parallel shanks 11projecting from one side thereof, these shanks havinglongitudinally-disposed grooves 12 in their ends andintermediately-disposed transverse seats 13. The shanks are preferablythough not necessarily curved, as illustrated, and to their free endsare pivoted holding-heads 14,'which are arshanks or folded back upon thesame. These heads are provided at their free ends with lips 15, arrangedto interlock in the seats 13 heads when the latter Serial No. 118,950.No model.)

ofthe' shanks when said heads are in their folded positions, as clearlyshown in Fig. 2. Locking devices in the form of rings 16 are arranged tosurround the shanks and the are folded back, said heads being providedin their ends with sockets 17, in which the rings seat themselves. Thereis also employed in the structure a fishplate 18, 'having a plurality ofopenings 19, through which the shanks are passed.

The present structure is shown in connection with railway-rails, saidrails being designated by the reference-numeral 20 and having the usualopenings therethrough. The body 10 is located upon one side of therails, while the shanks are passed through the openings therein. Thefish-plate 18 is located upon the side of the rails opposite the body,the heads being turned back against said fishplate, thereby holding itin place, these heads being secured by the rings 16, as will be readilyapparent. The structure as set forth can be quickly applied to rails orother articles to be fastened together and when locked in placeformsarigid and secure bond. The several parts cannot become readilydisplaced, as in the case of the threaded nuts ordinarily employed. Theinterlocking engagements beween the heads and the shanks are also worthyof notice, as by means of this construction the strain imparted to saidheads is absorbed by said'interlocking engagements and the pivots aretherefore relieved of the same.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without further description, and it will beunderstood that various changes in the size, proportion, and minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank, ofaholding-head pivoted to the shank and arranged to aline therewith, saidhead being of small enough able into substantial alinement with theshank and being foldable back upon the same, and means for holding thehead in its folded position.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank, ofa holding-head pivoted to the shank and foldable back upon the same,said shank and head having an interlocking engagement when the latter isin its said folded position.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shankhaving a notch, of a holding-head pivoted to the shank and foldable uponthe same, said head having a lip that engages in the notch of the shankwhen the head is in its folded position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank, ofa holding-head pivoted to the shank, said head being movable intosubstantial alinement with the- 6. In a device of the class described,the

combination with a shank, of aholding-head pivoted at one end to theshank and having a seat in its other end, said head being movable intosubstantial alinement with the shank and foldable back upon the same,and a locking-ring engaging the shank and head to hold the latter in itsfolded position, said ring fitting in the seat of thehead.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a bodyhaving a plurality of shanks projecting from one side, of separate headspivoted to the various shanks and foldable back upon the same, and meansfor securing the heads in their folded positions.

8. The combination with rails, of a body having a plurality of shanksprojecting from one side thereof and passing through the rails, afish-plate fitted over the shanks on the sides of the rails opposite thebody, separate heads pivoted to the various shanks and foldable backagainst the fish-plate, and rings surrounding the shanks and the headsto hold the latter in their folded positions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AURELIUS HOWARD.

Witnesses:

J. F. BRITTAIN, J OHN H. DURLING.

